Aeroplane-wing arrangement



June 24, 1930 S. V. M ULLER AEROPLANE WING ARRANGEMENT Filed Sept. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR Ste she. K/Va'YZe L ATTORNEY June 24, 1930. I s. v. MULLER 1,765,440

AEROPLANE WING ARRANGEMENT v Filed Sept. 16. 1929 5 Sheets-Shes 2 fivVkivToR. 52:72:72. I Milled A TTORNE Y.

l 1930- s. v. MULLE 65,440

AEROPLANB WING ARRANGEMENT Q Filed Sept. 16. 1929 3 Sheets--Sheet INVENTOR SIP 57792, K lfai'llez ATT R N EY Patented June 24, 1930 1 UNITED stares Parser srnrrrnn v. M'eLLnR, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN AEROPLAlTE-"WING ARRANGEMENT Application filed September 16, 1929. Serial No. 352,891.

means are provided for imparting azsubstantiallyvertical, or flapping,- movement to the intermediate wing sections so that-an aeroplane may ascend or descendmore nearly.

normal flying position shown in Figure 1. i

vertically than with thetusual type-of fixed Wings M 7 Another object of the inventionis to provide means 'for turning the movable wing sections through substantially ninety degrees at.

the end of each vertical movement, so that as they rise they lie in a substantially vertical position, and'as they move. downwards the lie substantially horizontally. A further object of the invention is to pro vide means for moving the end wing sections away from the intermediate movable sections before the commencement of movement oi the latter thereby affording ample clearance,

and also for returning. the end wing sections so that they overlap portionszo'f the adj acent.

intermediate sections when movement of the latter is no longer required, as for instance when it is desired to use the aerop'lane'inthe normal manner for flying. 1

tion as the end sections are moved=o1utwards, and for returning that ntermed ate section on each side back to 1ts horizontal'position as the end sections are moved'back towards one another to form c'ontmueus wings after the flapping movement hasstopped.

With'these and other objects and advan- "tages in view which-will become apparent as the specification proceeds, the inventionis Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the;

sl'iowmg the w ng mor line 2-2 o'fFigure 3 ing mechanism.

moving mechanism. 1

Yet another. objectof the invention is to provide means for turning one lntermediate wing section on each side into vertical pos1- Figure 3 is a partial plan View of the wing Figure 4: is a section on the line 1-4 of Figure 3, and

Figures 5 and 6 are details. I

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an aeroplane having wings 2 on both sides.

Each wing consists of a plurality of sections 2 2 2 and 2; and the adjacent margins of these sections are so formed as to overlap one another when they are 1n their The wing sections 2 and 2 are continuous and extendright across theaeroplane, whereas the mtermediate wing sections 2 and 2 are separate on opposite sides of the machine.

Suitably supported on the fuselage 3 are longitudinal guides e integral with which, along their undersides, are inturned chan nels 4 An axle 5 extends between the guides 4 and has its extremities supported by the latter. Slidable longitudinally in the channels 43 are racks16,and fixed on the axle 5 are partial gears Teach of which meshes with one of the said racks. Fixed on the axle 5 is an rod is connected to a bell crank 10 so that by movement ofa handle 10 integral with the latter the axle 5 and partial gears '7 are turned. The racks 6 are connected to the front .wing section 2, by means of members 11 so that movement of the racks causes the frontwing section to move longitudinally ot the machine. 2 indicates the position of the front wing section when it has been moved forward from its/adjacent wing sections 2". Connected to the racks 6 by connecting rods 12 are partial gears 14L rotatable on the guides 4; these partial gears are adapted to mesh with gears 15 fixed on the shafts or supportingmembers 16 for the wing sections 2, so that as the wing section 2 is 7 moved outwards into the position indicated at '2 the wing sections 2 are turned into the verticalposition shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Other connecting rods 17 extend trom'the partialgears 14 to arms 18 pivotal on projections 4 integral with the-rear ends of the guidesei To the outer endsoi these arms 18 therear wing sectionf2 is pivotally secured. Then as the wing section 2 is said crank shaft 21.

moved forward into its position 2, and the wing sections 2 are turned so as to assume a substantially vertical position, the rear wing section 2 is also moved into its position 2. The intermediate wing sections are then ready to be moved up and down.

Between the. guides 1 are supports 19- mountedon.thefuselage 3 and having bearings 20 therein for a crank shaft 21, the extremity 21 of which is provided with any desired form of driving meansnot shown. Mounted between the frames 19 are cylinders, 22 in which plungers 28 are reciprocated by connecting rods 24tmountedon the Each plunger 23 has a pair of opposed sockets25 in its sides to carry balls 26 through which the inner ex.- tremities of supporting members27 and 16 extend. These supporting members 27 and 16 carry the wing; sections 2 and'2 respec 'tively.

On one end of the crankshaft 21a partial gear, 28 is secured which. alternately} with; two gears 29. and 3Q both of which, arefixed. on a verticalspindle 31, so thatrotation is imparted to the latter, first in one direction. and then in the, other. Moreover rotation of the spindle 31 occurs in onedirection or the other at each halfrevolution of tllfiCI'EtIlkgf shaft. 21. On the upper end of the spindle 31 is a, spur gearv 32 which meshes-with a. similar idler gear, 33 and also with a rack. 34tsecured to the undersideof a cross-member, To the underside of the latter a second rack 36 is alsosecured with which the idler gear 33 meshes; By this. arrangement of double drive I am assuredthat the .saidcrossmember will remainin alignment asmoves ment long tudinally of the; aeroplane is .im-.

' parted to it firstin one direction and then in the other.

Above the cross member is. a, second cross member 37, and meanshereinafter described are employed at certain timesfor holding these cross members so that they move together. The member 35 is connected by extensions 38 to racks 39 which mesh'wit-lr gears 40 fixed around the wing section supporting members 27, and the cross member 37-is connected by extensions 41 to racks 4-2 which mesh with the gears. 15'fiXed around the wing supportingmembers 16. Moreover the racks 39 areslidable in the guide channels at. As the cross members .35 and. 37 are moved longitudinally of the aeroplane inr one, direction or the other. the wing sections 2" are moved from. a substantially vertical to .a substantially. horizontal position, or vice versa, and thewing sections 2 are moved from asubstantial-ly horizontal position to. a substantially vertical; ;o'ne, or,vice.

S Moreover. these turning. movements are amparted "to; the wing sections as they i reach-their top andbottom positions so that pins are pivotal on bell cranks 46. One arm' 46 of each of the latter has one end of a spring e7 secured to it, and the opposite ends of these springs: are fastened to projections 48 integral with the crossmember 35. The

springs tend to hold the pins 45. in. suchv position that; they project through both openings 35 and 37% However when; the

wing section 2' is movedipartly. inwards. to-

wards the wing sections 2 stops 49on the connecting rods 17. engage the bell crank arms/6 -and.withdraw the pins from. the

openings: 37?. Then .as movementof the. connecting rods 17 is continued and the partial gears 14 continue. to turn theymeshnwiththe gears15 so that the Wing. sections 29ers turned from; their substantially vertical to their substantially. horizontal positions.

In order to insurenthe wing. movement-of the intermediate sections stopping when the crank shaft 21 is inthe position shown in.

FigureQ I provide aworm. cam; 50 on: the said shaft. Depending. from one OfztllQ- supports 19 and pivotal thereon is a. holderi51 having projections. 52 with bearingv slots 52 therethrough forthepassage of'a member 53, the

lowerend :53 of which is-offset. Around the member. 5-3'.and between the projections 52a spring 54. is. arranged which tends to hold the memberin thepositionzshown in Figure 2.-

Projecting from the holder 51 is an'arm-55.

which is engaged by a pin 56 extending-from the rod 9 when the latter 1S-111OV8C1:C10W11 -Wards to return. the Wing sections 2 and 2* towards one another. Downward. movement of the rod 9 forces the offset end 53 of the member 53 into engagement with the worm:

cam- 50. The tension of the spring 54acts as a brakeand causes thecrankshaft to stop:

when the said offset end reaches the position 53 shown-1n Figure 6.

60 denotes braces for the intermediate 1 Wing sections.v At one end these braces are" pivotally mounted. on the connectingrod pins 24? and their opposite ends each encircle one of the supporting members 27 or 16 which extend centrally of the said sections.

From the foregoing it isbelieved that the 7 operation of the Wing structure will be readily understood. Briefly it is as follows:

For normal flying the Wing sections are so arrangedthat they form two continuous and normal Wings as shown inFigure-1. In

- diate wing sections so order to make more acute ascents or descents the wing. sections 2, and 2 are moved outwardly and the intermediate wing sections 2 and 2,are flapped. 1 To accomplish the bell crank 10 is so moved that the outer wing sections 2 and .2 move outwardly and the wing sections 2Jare turned ,intotheiron edge position. Before the wing section 2 has reached its outward position'fl' upwards on edge.

IVhile in the foregoing the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown it is understood that the construction is susceptible to such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 7 I r What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters P-atent is:

*1. In an aeroplane wingarrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, a pluralityof transverse wing sections thereon, 'all the sections on each side being adapted .to lie contiguous to one another, means for moving the end wing sections longitudinally of the aeroplane, and means forflapping the intermediate wing sections.

2. In an aeroplane wingarrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, a plurality of transverse wing sections thereon, all the sections on each side being adapted to rest so that their margins extend over the margins of the adjacent sections, means for moving the end sections longitudinally'of the aeroplane, and means for flapping the intermethat each opposed pair move in unison. a A

3. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, aplurality of transverse wing sections thereon, the endsections being continuous completely across'the aeroplane and the intermediate wing sections being separate on opposite sides oft-he aeroplane, means for moving the end sections longitudinally of the aeroplane, and meansfor flapping the intermediate'sections;

4. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, a plurality of transverse .wing sections thereon, all the sections on each side being adapted to lie contiguous to one another, means for moving the end sections.longitudinally, means for flapping the intermediate wing sections, and means for turning the latter so that they move upwardly on edge and downwardly on their flats.

this

5. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, a plurality of transverse wing sections thereon, the end sections being continuous completely across the aeroplane and the intermediate sections being separate on, opposite sides thereof, means for,

flappingthe intermediate wing sections, and means for turningthe latter so that they move upwardly on edge and downwardly ontheir flats. a 1 I 6. In an aeroplane wing arr'angement,the combination of an aeroplane, a plurality of transverse wing sections thereon, all the sections on each side being adapted to rest so that their margins extend ,overthe margins of the adjacent sections, means for flapping thetintermediate wing sections so that each opposed pair move in unison, and means for turning-the intermediate wing sections so that they swing upwardly on edge and downwardly on their flats. r

7 In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane, a plurality of wing sectionsextending outwardly on both sides, the end wing sections being continuous completely across the aeroplane andthe intermediatewmg sections being separate on opposite sides thereof, means for moving said end sections longitudinally, and means for turning one opposed pair of intermediate sections through substantially ninety degrees as said end sections are moved.

8. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the

combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, guldes longitudinally thereon', a rack movable on each} of sald guldes, a transverse shaft extending between and supported by 7 said guides, means for turningsaid shaft, gears on said shaft adapted to move said racks, a plurality oftransverse wingsections extendingoutwardly beyond said guides, and

one wing section extending completely across:

said aeroplane and so connected to said racks that it is moved longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft.

9. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, guideslongitudinally thereon, a rack movable on each of said guides, a transverse shaft extending between and supported by said guides, means for turning. said shaft, gears on said shaft adapted to move said racks, and a plurality of transverse wing sections extending outwardly beyond said guides, both end wingv sections extending completely across said aeroplane, one'end "section being connected to said racks and the other end wing section beingconnected to said gears so that rotation of said shaft moves both end wing sections simultaneously in opposite directions.

10. In an aeroplane wing"arrangement-,- the combination of an aeroplane h'aving a fuselage, longitudinal guides Ithereon, a shaft extending" between said guides, means lit) for turning said shaft, a plurality of trans verse sections on said aeroplane, the end sections extending completely across said aero lane and the intermediate sections being separate on op osite sides, gears on said shaft, means for moving one end Wing section When said shaft is turned, partial gears rota'table'on said frame, connecting rods connecting said gears with artial gears so that they all turn together, said "partial gears being adapted to turn one opposed pair of intermediate Wing sections through substantially ninety degrees, and means for moving the other and Wing section when said partial gears are turned. 7 V 11. In an -aeropla-ne, the combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, frames in said fuselage, a crank shaft supported by said frames, cylinders mounted between said frames, plungers in saidcylinders adapted to be reciprocated by the movement of saidcrankshaft, aplura'l'ity of'opposed Wingsections extendin laterally beyond said fuselage, supporting members secured to said Wing sections pivotalon said fuselage, and the inner ends of said members terminating in said plungers so that as the latter are reciprocated the Wing sections are flapped.

12. In an aeroplane wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, frames in said fuselag aierank shaft supported by said frames,- cylinders mounted between said frames, plungers in said cylinders adapted to be reciprocated by the movement of said crank shaft, a plnralit y of opposed win sections extending laterally beyond said fuselage, supporting members secured to said wing sections pivotal on said fuselage,tl1e inner ends of'said members" terminatingin saidrplun ers s'othat as the latter are reeiprocated thawing sect-ions-are'flapped, and means operated by the rotation of said crank shaft for turning said Wing sections through substantially ninety degrees when they reach their top and bottom positions.

13. man aeroplane Wing arrangement, the combination as described in claim 11 Wherein brace rods are provided which are movable x'i 'ith the plungers and reinforce the Wing section's throu hout their movement. 14. In an aeroplane Wing arrangement, the combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, frames in. said fuselage, a crank shaftsupported by said frames, cylinders mounted between said frames, plnngers in said cylinders adapted to be recip'rocated by said crank shaft, a plurality of op posed Wind sections extending. laterallybeyond said fuselage, the en'd'wing sections'being continuous completely 'acrosssaid aeroplane and the intermediate'wing sections being separate on opposite sides thereof, and supporting members secured to said intermediate Wing sections pivotal on said fuselage, the inner ends of said members termi hating in said plungers so that as the latter are reci'pro'cated the intermediate Wing sections are fiapped. V

15. In anaeroplane Wing'ar'rangement, the combination of an aeroplane having a fuselage, frames thereinya crank shaft supported by said frames, cylinders mounted between said frames, plungers in said cylinders adapted to be reciprocated by said crank shaft, a

plurality of opposed Wing sections, a plural- P tion and then in the other and means for turning said Wing sections through substantially ninety degrees each time said spindle is turned.

16. In an aeroplane Wing-arrangement as described in claim 15 the-combination Wherein as one opposed pair of Wings are turnedin one direction the other opposed pairof Wings are turned in t'he opposite direction.

17. In an aeroplane Wing arrangement as described 'inclaifn 1 1, the combination Where in means are provided for stopping the rotation of the crank shaft When the Wing sections are in predetermined positions.

18. In an aeroplane Wing arrangement, the combinationof a-n aeroplane having a fuselage, frames in saidfuselage, a crankshaft supported by said frames, cylinders mounted between said frames,.plungers in saideylinders adapted to be reciprocated by said crank shaft, a plurality of opposed Wing sections extending laterally beyond said fuselage, supporting members secured'to said Wing sections pivotalon said fuselage, the inner ends of said supporting members extending through said plungers so that asthe latter are reciprocated the Wing sections are flapped, a verticalspindle mounted on one ofsaid frames, a partial gear on said crank shaft, gears on sald splndle with each of which said partial gear meshes in turn so I that said spindle is first turned in one directlon and then in the other, cross members transversely of said fuselage adapted to move together in opposite directions according to the direction of rotation of said spindle and to be moved by the latteiy gears on said Wing supporting members, and racks connected to said-cross members adapted to mesh with said supporting member gears so that movement of said cross members causes said Wing sections to turn.

STEPHEN V. MULLER. 

